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For every woman who wants to be as tough as Lara Croft, as nimble as the Bionic Woman, and as babe-a-licious as Charlie’s Angels, The Action Heroine’s Handbook shows how to conquer the bad guys in virtually any situation. This sequel to The Action Hero’s Handbook  (more than 175,000 copies in print!) features step-by-step illustrations and instructions on profiling a serial killer, going undercover as a beauty queen, navigating white-water rapids, outwitting a band of home intruders, and more. All the information is reality-based and comes from a host of experts (including stuntwomen, jujitsu instructors, and primatologists). Special sections and appendices highlight the top action heroine hairdos, handbag essentials, and the best footwear for every action situation.

JENNIFER WORICK is the coauthor of My Fabulous Life, My Dysfunctional Life, and The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Dating & Sex. She lives in Philadelphia.

JOE BORGENICHT is coauthor of The Action Hero’s Handbook and The Baby Owner’s Manual. He lives in Salt Lake City.

Everyone wants to be an action hero-as smooth as James Bond, as clever as Captain Kirk, as tough as Charlie’s Angels. And now you can: The Action Hero’s Handbook is the ultimate guide to an action-packed lifestyle, with genuine step-by-step instructions on interrogating a suspect, catching a great white shark, performing the Vulcan Nerve Pinch, stopping a wedding, navigating a ventilation shaft, and much more. All information is reality-based and comes from a host of experts (including FBI agents, marine biologists, karate champions, wedding planners, and air duct cleaners). With more than 35 illustrations throughout, this dynamic little handbook will teach us all how to keep up with the Indiana Joneses.

DAVID BORGENICHT lives in Philadelphia and is coauthor of The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series (Chronicle Books).

JOE BORGENICHT has coauthored The Action Heroine’s Handbook, The Baby Owner’s Manual, and Undercover Golf. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sure every dog has its day–but these 100 canines raced ahead of the pack to alter the very course of world history. In 100 Dogs Who Changed Civilization, readers will discover the inspiring true tales of dogs who’ve contributed to scientific advancements, influenced geopolitical events, inspired great works of art, and saved the lives of their beloved masters. These astounding pooches include:

–Biche, the Italian Greyhound who started a war between France and Prussia
–Seaman, the Newfoundland who saved explorers Lewis and Clark from a marauding buffalo
–Sergeant Stubby, the most decorated war dog in U.S. history
–Laika, the first earthling of any kind to go into orbit
–Hachiko, an Akita whose devotion to his dead master made him a Japanese national hero

…and many more. Packaged in a very civilized hardcover with black-and-white illustrations, 100 Dogs Who Changed Civilization is the perfect gift for dog lovers and history buffs alike.

SAM STALL is the author of 100 Cats Who Changed Civilization (Quirk, 2007) and coauthor of The Dog Owner’s Manual (Quirk, 2004). He lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.

100 Cats Who Made a Difference.
 
If you don’t believe that one cat has the power to alter civilization, then you’ve obviously never heard of Tibbles (p. 12), the cat who single-handedly wiped out an entire species. Or Ahmedabad (p. 61), a Siamese kitten who sparked riots throughout Pakistan. Or Snowball (p. 14), the cat who helped to convict dozens of murderers and criminals. Or Felix (p. 155), the first cat to explore outer space.
 
These are just four of the 100 Cats Who Changed Civilization, and this book honors their extra-ordinary contributions to science, history, art, government, religion, and more. You’ll meet a cat who filed a lawsuit (p. 66) and a cat who was slapped with a restraining order (p. 75). You’ll meet cats who have inspired great works of literature (p. 90) and classical music (p. 102). You’ll even meet a cat who telephoned the police to save the life of his owner (p. 162). These beautifully illustrated true stories are a tribute to the intelligence, bravery, and loving nature of cats all over the world.

Drive a golf cart in a hurricane; dock your yacht in a typhoon; treat a knitting needle injury; and get your grown kids to move out.

David Borgenicht is the creator and co-author of all the books in the Worst-Case Scenario series. He lives in Philadelphia.

The Worst-Case Scenario Almanac: History — Best-seller history repeats itself with this dynamic new “almanac” format that broadens the scope and content of the Worst-Case Scenario handbooks. The Worst-Case Scenario Almanac: History offers step-by-step illustrated scenarios on how to win a joust, survive in a dungeon, and overcome other plights of yesteryear, but the volume also features hundreds of pages of additional-and hilarious-information in the form of lists (the worst jobs to have during the Industrial Revolution), offbeat profiles (Attila the Hun, Idi Amin), Worst-Case Wisdom (bad advice), descriptions of disasters narrowly averted, and much more. Packed with charts, graphs, maps, and timelines, The Worst-Case Scenario Almanac: History is an invigorating look at all that’s gone wrong in the past and the best way to prepare for the future.

Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht, authors of The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series, live in Philadelphia, a city of great historical importance.

Piers Marchant is a Philadelphia-based writer and editor who has published everything from film reviews to How to Be Pope.